Question 430 of 750

Windows Command-Line Tools →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Using Taskkill to Forcefully End a Process

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

During a security audit, you discover that a user's workstation has an unauthorized application running. You need to terminate the process immediately from the command line. The process name is 'malware.exe'. Which command should you use?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.

A
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq malware.exe"
Why wrong: Lists the process but does not terminate it.
B
taskkill /IM malware.exe /F
Forcefully terminates the specified process.
C
net stop malware
Why wrong: Stops a service, not a process; also the service name may differ.
D
shutdown /r /t 0
Why wrong: Restarts the computer, which is unnecessary and disruptive.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is `taskkill /IM malware.exe /F`, which forcefully terminates the process by its image name from the command line. This command works by using the `/IM` flag to specify the process name and the `/F` flag to force termination, ensuring the application is killed even if it is unresponsive or has open handles. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to manage processes via the command line, a key troubleshooting skill for security incidents. A common trap is confusing `taskkill` with `tasklist`, which only displays processes, or with `net stop`, which is for services only. Remember the mnemonic “Kill It Manually” for `/IM` — image name — and “Force” for `/F` to lock in the correct syntax.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

taskkill /IM malware.exe /F

Option B is correct because the `taskkill` command with the `/IM` (image name) and `/F` (force) flags is the standard Windows CLI method to forcibly terminate a process by its executable name. This directly stops 'malware.exe' without requiring the process ID, making it the appropriate tool for immediate termination during a security incident.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq malware.exe"
Why it's wrong here
Lists the process but does not terminate it.
✓
taskkill /IM malware.exe /F
Why this is correct
Forcefully terminates the specified process.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "which command", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
net stop malware
Why it's wrong here
Stops a service, not a process; also the service name may differ.
✗
shutdown /r /t 0
Why it's wrong here
Restarts the computer, which is unnecessary and disruptive.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates confuse `tasklist` (a listing tool) with `taskkill` (a termination tool), or assume `net stop` can stop any running program, when in fact it only applies to Windows services.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The `taskkill` command sends a WM_CLOSE message to the target process for graceful termination, but the `/F` switch forces termination via `TerminateProcess`, which immediately kills the process without cleanup. In real-world incident response, using `/F` is critical for malware that may intercept or ignore standard close requests, but it can also cause data loss in legitimate applications. The `/IM` parameter matches the image name exactly, but if multiple instances of 'malware.exe' are running, all are terminated simultaneously.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Related 220-1202 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.

Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.

Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.

Windows Administrative Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.

macOS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.

Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.

Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.

Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.

Physical Security Controls practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.

Logical Security Concepts practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.

Wireless Security Protocols practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.

Malware Types and Removal practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.

Practice this exam

Start a free 220-1202 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

220-1202 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

Windows Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: taskkill /IM malware.exe /F — Option B is correct because the `taskkill` command with the `/IM` (image name) and `/F` (force) flags is the standard Windows CLI method to forcibly terminate a process by its executable name. This directly stops 'malware.exe' without requiring the process ID, making it the appropriate tool for immediate termination during a security incident.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "which command", "immediately / without restart". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Keep practising

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.